“I am sorry to have given you this terrible shock, Leo,” said North tenderly; “but I felt bound to come and let Salis know.”
She did not reply directly, but sat there spasmodically clinging to her brother’s hand with fingers that were damp and cold.
“I am better now,” she said at last, in a low whisper. “It is very terrible. Does Mary know?”
“Not yet,” said Salis. “I am going to fetch her down. Has the faintness passed away?”
“Yes—yes!” she said hastily. “It was the suddenness of the news. Try not to startle Mary, Hartley; but she is not such a coward as I am.”
“You have been so ill,” said North tenderly. “Your nerves are unstrung. Besides, it is a great shock to hear of so awfully sudden a death.”
“Go and tell Mary,” said Leo, rising. “I am quite well now. Speak gently.”
“Yes,” said the curate; and he left the room.
“Tell me,” said Leo, as soon as the door closed. “How was it? Was there any quarrel? It was an accident?”
She spoke in a hurriedly excited manner, and there was a wildly anxious look in her eyes.